‘If I Can Make You Work on Sundays, I Will Be More Happy’, L&T Chairman Advocates 90-Hr Workweek

Recently, an undated video of L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan went viral on Reddit and other platforms where he is seen advocating a 90-hour work week for employees.

Netizens have criticized him saying the L&T boss has gone one step ahead of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who suggested 70-hour work last year.

The viral video

In the video circulating on Reddit, Subrahmanyan was seen interacting with employees. An employee questioned him about why the company mandated working on Saturdays.

Instead of responding to the query, Subrahmanyan regretted that Sundays were off. "I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays,” the L&T chairman replied.

He then further questioned what employees do while staying at home. 

"What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?" the chairman asked. "Come on, get to the office and start working."

In support of himself, Subrahmanyan went on to share an anecdote about a conversation he had with a Chinese individual. According to the L&T boss, the person claimed that China could surpass the United States because Chinese employees put in 90 hours a week compared to the 50 hours worked by Americans.

"So that's the answer for you. If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys. Come on," Subrahmanyan remarked in the undated video.

The video, first shared on Reddit has gone viral and bashed by netizens. Many social media users found Subrahmanyan's remarks inhumane.

Incidentally, when Murthy suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to help build the nation received a huge backlash.

In the Reddit comments section, some professionals questioned Subrahmanyan's understanding of work-life balance, while others disapproved of the new corporate culture promoting overwork.

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